Title: Goodbye and Hello

Summary: The world is round and the place which might seem like the end might also be the beginning – Ivy Baker Priest.

Disclaimer: White Collar is not mine. I'm just borrowing the concepts and characters for a little while.

Spoilers: Nothing specific. It takes places in the third season and is likely to be AU.

A/N: My first White Collar story… Thanks to Jaz22 for the encouragement to write this and for the beta (remaining mistakes are definitely mine)!

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"Moz –"

"Neal… It's now or never."

"Moz, I—"

"It's OK, Neal. I think I understand."

They're both silent for a moment as they let the implications of their decisions take hold in their hearts. Eventually Mozzie breaks the silence:

"So many faces in and out of my life
Some will last
Some will be just now and then.
Life is a series of hellos and good byes
I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again."

Neal laughs as his eyes start to fill, "Billy Joel? Really?"

Mozzie shrugs and uses a finger to push his glasses up his nose, but doesn't reply.

"You and I will meet again
When we're least expecting it
One day in some far off place
I will recognize your face
I won't say goodbye my friend
For you and I will meet again"

Hands in his pockets and looking at his shoes, Moz smiles and quietly says, "Tom Petty." He raises his head and looks directly into Neal's eyes.

"Promise me you'll never forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave."

Neal grabs Moz into a firm hug, and for once Moz allows the close personal contact.

Without letting go and as a single tear runs down his face, Neal whispers into his friend's ear. "Never, Mozzie. I'll never forget you." He squeezes once more before breaking their embrace.

Mozzie takes a couple of steps back, smiles, and then turns to walk towards the treasure and his future. After a few steps he says without looking back: "Say goodbye to Suit and Mrs. Suit for me."

Neal lingers for a while, watching his friend get farther and farther away before turning and heading towards the exit of the hanger.

Opening the door, he squints as he steps out into the sunshine. A few feet from the door, he stops and takes a deep breath. Sensing someone behind him and instantly knowing who it is, he turns to find Peter leaning against the hanger wall.

"No more running?" Peter asks with a look of apprehension on his face.

"No more running," Neal confirms with a watery smile and huffed laugh.

Peter straightens up and goes to stand before Neal. He studies his friend's face as Neal reaches up to rub at his eyes to remove the evidence of his runaway emotions. A look of satisfaction and pride emerges on Peter's face as he lifts a hand to ruffle Neal's hair before putting an arm around his consultant's shoulders.

As they walk to the car, Peter says, "We'll get you a new anklet tomorrow."

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The end.

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Thanks for reading!

A/N: The "Promise me..." quote is by A. A. Milne.